Samples of Winning Write-ups

Name: Gaye
Position: Cook Years: 30
Sketch: Gaye Cornett grew up in Texas and moved to Oregon as a young woman. She has four children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She started working at Weidler Square in the early 1980s and stayed on when Oregon Baptist Retirement Homes took over, and when we changed our name to Parkview Christian Retirement Community. Her mother in law was the head cook at that time, and asked Gaye to work for two weeks. Thirty-five years later, she’s still here. She talks about retirement, but knows she would miss the residents and staff, who have become like family to her
Statement of Achievement: Gaye has been a dedicated and faithful employee in our food service department for 35 years. In times of power outages or winter storms, Gay will spend the night in our assisted living building, reading novels on her Kindle until morning, making sure the residents will be fed and served at breakfast. At times, she has been the only one within the assisted living kitchen that could make it in for breakfast and lunch. Although her job title is cook, she also washes dishes and acts as a dining room server. Gaye’s shift runs from 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM, but she’s always in by 5:30. She has given of her own time repeatedly for the wellbeing of this company and to the residents, covering not only her shift, but at times that of her missing co-workers. In 35 years, she has taken, to the best of my knowledge, one sick day. Even when she had a broken toe, or broken ribs from an auto accident, she was on the job, serving the residents
Above and Beyond: Gaye sets an example of dedication that inspires other employees to go above and beyond in service to the residents. She always has a smile for the residents, works hard, and never complains. She rarely misses a day. Gaye has bought, and brought to work, her own holiday decorations to spread around the building to brighten the spirits of the residents. Not just Christmas, but every other holiday as well. Gaye believes she has over $3,000 worth of decorations that she has used at Parkview. She celebrates residents¿ birthdays, remembers their favorite dishes, and often will bring out their special foods even before they ask. Gaye is truly deserving of the Unsung Hero Award.


Name: Melodie
Position: Activities and Volunteer Coordinator Years: 2 plus
Sketch: Melodie has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy as well as a minor is psychology. She has served both children and elders during her career. She had the privilege of completing her student teaching for Music therapy at a K-12 in New Mexico. She developed and directed a performing Arts Program at one of the communities in which she worked for that is still running strong today. The residents first show was “Grease” and there was a cast of 30 plus residents.
Above and Beyond: Melodie is a can-do employee. If she is given a suggestion or idea, she can just run with it and bring it to fruition. She is up for any challenge or new educational program. This year I would have to say hands down the biggest accomplishment that she is proud of is starting the Opening Minds Through Art program (OMA) at Rose Villa. The creation of this program has involved creating and leading a team of mostly volunteers, which Melodie recruited from local colleges and the community at large. The commitment, compassion, and vibrancy shown by the volunteers is a testament to the training that Melodie provides and the atmosphere of comradery that she creates. As part of her recruitment efforts, Melodie lead an OMA session during a Portland Community College gerontology class. When she arrived, she learned the session would be broadcast to all their campuses. True to Melodie’s nature, she did not let this phase her and quickly adapted to the PCC community-wide stardom that was being thrust upon her! Melodie started the OMA program with a small group of nursing facility residents that she knew well. Now with one successful series under her belt, she is expanding the community to independent living residents with a diagnosis of dementia (a requirement of the program) and to the community at large. Through her work on the OMA program, Melodie is supporting elders with dementia to discover new talents, develop relationships with a younger generation, and have joyous experiences. She is also cultivating an appreciation for elders and a de-stigmatization of what it means to live with dementia that each of her volunteers will carry forth with them throughout their lives.
Enhanced Quality: One would never know if Melodie was having an overwhelming day. She carries herself with the utmost grace and professionalism. She really fulfills one of our primary values of being Person Centered. She listens to the individual residents’ requests for life enrichment and ensures that they are either provided as a group or on an individual basis. She is always looking for new and innovative creative ways to engage the residents where they are or wish to be. She also coordinates all volunteers who interact with the residents of Madrona Grove. She facilitates training with a volunteer group called Comfort Companions. These companions sit with actively dyeing residents to ensure that residents don’t die alone. Melodie not only enhances the life of Rose Villa members but also that of the greater Portland Metropolitan Community. She facilitates Intergenerational Programing with local schools. One of her most prominent projects is the Dear Rosie Program in which school children write in letters for advice or questions and then the residents write back. She also participates in many social accountability projects in which there is mutual gain for the residents and the outside community. To just mention, Melodie facilitates a group of residents making dog treats and toys for the Humane society. The group then brings the toys and treats to the Human society and spends time with the animals while they are there. Melodie is a pleasure to work with, and she brings meaning and joy to the lives of all she touches.